Cotton-press



' (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. J. LOYALL 8: J. M. MOYERS.

COTTON PRESS. No. 393.513. Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

ATTORNEY,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. J. LOYALL & J. M. MOYERS.

COTTON PRESS.

No. 393.513. Patented Nov. 27. 1888.

INVENTORS,

ATTORNEY.

A WfTll/ES s.-

4 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. J. LOYALL 8: J. M. MOYERS.

COTTON PRESS.

Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

(No Model.)

ATTORNEY F W k 1 m! C N no 4 m M (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

G. J. LOYALL 85 J. M. MOYERS.

' COTTON PRESS.

No. 898,513. Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

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MW M M LL ATTORMSY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE J. LOYALL AND JAMES M. MOYERS, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

COTTON-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,513, dated November 27, 1888.

Serial No. 271,351. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE J. LOYALL and JAMES M. Months, of Richmond, in the county of Henrieo and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful lmprovemcntin Cotton-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to that class of cottonpresses usually operated by hydraulic power; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the press with the followerin its uppermost position and the lower cotton receiving chamber open. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a detail perspective view ofautornatic supports. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the doorlocking devices. Fig. 6 is a view of the follower G and its connections with shaft H. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of our press, showing the same with the follower, 850. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the frame J. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the lever O; and Fig. 10 is ahorizontal section on the line a: w, Fig. 5.

In the drawings, A is the base-frame,consisting of four heavy timbers, a a a a, the timbers a a running lengthwise centrally, upon which the cylinder 20 rests, and the timbers a a are mortised to and arranged transversely to said timbers a (1. These timbers are held together and securely braced by means of truss-rods a flthereby firmly holding the frame together and keeping the cylinder support from springing or breaking, and thus adding great strength to the press.

I) b represent two short vertical posts disposed at one side on each corner of the timbers a a, and b I) represent similar but somewhat longer posts placed at the opposite ends of the timbers a a and resting on a timber, b bolted to the timbers aa. Supported by these posts is a horizontal framing, b 1), upon which is supported the press-box B.

The press-box B consists of the ends B and sides 13*, which form a vertical chamber, B the bottom portion, B, of which forms the packing-box proper. b denotes the bottom of said box, which is supported on the frame 5 and b, as shown in Fig. 2. Supported by the press-box B and secured to the post I) is a frame, 0, which frame extends at one end, as at c c, and supports a cross'timber, 0'. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the timbers b I) also extend at one end. Between the timbers c c and 1) Ir are secured the side walls, D D.

E is a door hinged at its upper end to the timber c, which, when folded down, as shown in Fig. 1, forms the top of the packing-box or receiver F, formed by the bottom I), the sides D I), and the door E.

G is a follower,which when folded down, as seen in Fig. 1, forms an extension to the cottonreceiver F. The follower G consists of a body, 9, provided upon its under side with two cross pieces, 9' g, and is hinged at its inner end upon projecting studs 9", extending outwardly from one cross-piece, 9. Similar studs,g",extend from the other piece, 9'. The studs 9 g are adapted to project through the sides D by passing through a groove, (1, at the bottom of the pieces D, and a groove, (1, formed between the top of said sides and the cover E. The projecting ends of said studs 9 g are headed, as at g", for a purpose presently to be described.

Upon each end of the follower G is secured a triangular-shaped metal plate, G, the purpose of which is to keep the cotton out of the groove (1 in the side wall of the packing-box. Disposed upon the outside of the side walls of the paekingbox is a horizontal screw-shaft, H, one end, h, of which is journaled in a timber, b and its other end, h, is journaled in an angle-plate, h", secured to the side wall, D, of the press box. The end h of the shaft is provided with screw-threaded portion k upon which is fitted a nut or traveler, h. Secured at its central portion to said nut is a bar, I, provided with -shaped arms it, said arms diverging from the central portion, 2', as shown. The outer end of the arm iis provided with an eye, i fitting over the stud g and a notch, i, is formed in the outer end of the arm 13, whereby said arms may be latched over the stud 9 when the follower is thrown up in its vertical position. Notches 1 1 are provided near the top of the posts b to permit the studs to pass by them. A similar horizontal shaft H is placed on the opposite side of the pressbox and provided with a bar, I, and the connections of said shaft and bar with the oppo site side of the follower G are precisely similar to the arrangement above described.

Disposed a short distance above the frame 0 is a frame, J, the construction of whiehis clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. It-

consists of the bars jj and the eross'bars 9', said frame being securely braced together by the truss rodsj j K K are the bale dist-barging openings at the upper end of the priss, and K K are the doors for closing such openings. The doors K are hinged to the bars j of the frame J in such a manner that their inner faces when in a closed position will be in alignment with the sidewalls of the paekiugbox.

L are automatic balesupporters seen red to the inner sides of the doors K, one of which supporters is shown in detail in Fig. 4 The supporter L consists of a metal base-plate, Z, seated in the inner face of the door K and provided with a gravity-leaf, Z, hinged at Z" to the plate Z.

The operation of the automatic supporter is as follows: \Vhen the doors K are closed, the leaf Z will drop into a horizontal position. Upon the upper movement of the vertical follower M the pressure of the cotton will cause said leaf to fold up against the door, and it will so remain as long as the follower is in an upward movement. 3y reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that when theleaf Z is in its folded position it projects slightly at its upper face, forming a stop, Z. Thus it will be seen that when the follower M (which is provided with grooves in where it passes the leaves Z) is permitted to fall the bottom of the cotton-bale, in its downward movement, will cause the leaf Z to drop under the same and thereby hold the bale in the upper end of the box, which operation is repeated until the bale is pressed to the desired weight. Any desirable number of these supports L may be used.

M is the piston which passes through the cylinder 20, which cylinder is provided with a packing device of any suitable construction, through which said piston passes. Upon the upper end of the piston M rests the follower M, which follower is composed of the longitudinal timber m and the usual cross-battens, m, as shown. This follower is steadied by means of the end guides, at, as shown.

Upon the outer sides of the doors K we sccure battens It It, upon one end of the top batten, 7c, of which we arrangealocking device, N. This device consists of an angle-plate, N, bolted to the batten It, provided with a projection, n". The inner face of the batten k is provided with a groove, k", in which is seated a rod, 71, which rod projects at its ends through the angle-plates. Furthermore, upon each end of the shaft n is an L-shaped lever, 0, provided with a stud, o, and handles 0". Upon the opposite end of the batten k is secured a similar angle plate N, provided with a projection, of. The ends of the batten k are fur ther secured by means of the truss-rodsnithe ends of which are passed through the angleplates and secured by nuts, as shown.

Upon the side walls of the press-box, at a point in line with the batten lt",(when the door is closed,) is a batten P, formed at each end with stepped metal plates 19, as shown. A metal strap, is secured to the side of each of the battens P, which strap is provided with a long bail, f, to which is loosely connected the hookrods 1)". By this arrangement it will be seen that when the doors K are closed the projections a of the angle-plates N N will fit upon the stepped end of the plates 1).

Turning thelevers O in an upward position permits the connection of the studs of said levers to the hook-rods 1). Now by turning the levers down the same will securely lock the rods to said levers. 3y thus arranging the lever device described the same permits of an easy release of said locking'hooks after the bale has been compressed.

Q. is the bale-block at the top of the press, which is supplied with the truss-rods q for securely bracing and strengthening the same. Said block is held in position by the long bracerods R R, which press down the sides of the press,and are securely bolted at the top to the balebloek Q, and at the bottom to the base-frame A.

ll" are sprocket-wheels secured upon the outer ends of the shafts 11, said wheels being connectcd by a chain, 1-1, as shown. Upon one of the shafts (the right-hand shaft, Fig. 7) is a spur-wheel, 2, which meshes with a pinion, 3, upon the central shaft of a watermotor, S, receiving its water by prcssure from a hydraulic pump, (not shown in the drawings,) which pump also operates the piston M.

In Fig. 7 we have shown a press with the supplemental packing-box U at the top. This box is provided with doors U. V is the follower, to each end of which is secured a screwuut, V, the shank v of which passes through vertical slots '0 in the sides of the press-box. W represents vertical screw-shafts arranged one at each side of the press-box and having their lower ends stepped and secured in the frame and projecting at their upper ends through the bale-block, and are provided with beveled pinions Z. The shafts \V pass through the nuts V, secured to the follower V, and in their revolution cause said nuts to travel up or down upon said shafts and thereby carry the follower V up or down, as may be desired.

To operate the shafts V, a counter-shaft, A is journaled in bearings 10 upon the top timbers, 11 1.1, said shaft provided with pinions 12 12, gearing with the pinions Z Z, as shown.

IIO

In the praeticalapplication of this form of r compress it is usual to drive the shafts A and W by the same power which drives the horizontal shafts H; and to this end the shaft A may be suitably connected by belt or gearing to the motor mechanism shown. Suitable truss-rods are applied to the follower V to strengthen the same and preventitfrom springing, and thus avoid any cramping upon the screw-shafts W. The object of placing the packer at the top, as described, is when large bales are required and the cottongin is in an upper story of the house the cotton may be readily supplied from such story to the upper packerbox by means of a hopper or chute extending through the floor of such story. By this arrangement the cylinder will be made more powerful.

The operation of the press is as follows: The follower M being down and resting upon the base-frame A and the piston, the follower G being in its outward and downward position, as much cotton is crowded into the lower packing-box as possible, as also through one of the doors K at the top. YVhen said box is full, close the door K. and raise the follower G, and connect the same to the upper arm, t, at the side. Now by starting the hydraulic pump and at the same time turning on the three-way cock 8 to the right the motor will be revolved to the left, which, through the chain, will revolve the horizontal shafts H to the right and thereby draw in the follower G until the same comes in alignment with the vertical side of the packing-box proper. Now by turning off the three-way cock and turning on the pressure at the pump to the piston the follower M will be forced home in the balebox and compress the cotton into a bale, and upon the return of the follower the automatic supports will fall in place and hold the bale as madein place. Ifitis desired to increase the weight of the bale, turn the pressure from the piston and turn on the three-way cock to the left, which will reverse the motor and bring the follower G out to the end of the packing-box, and more cotton is then thrown in and the operation before stated repeated until the bale is the required weight, when the doors K may be opened, the bale tied and removed. Thus it will be seen that by the construction of a press in the manner described a powerful pressure can be applied and a bale twice the weight of bales now usually formed compressed to the size of the latter, as by our construction of press eight hundred to one thousand pounds of cotton can be put into it and pressed into a bale of the same size that is formed by other presses, in which from four hundred tolive hundred pounds are put, and doing the work with less labor and in the same time, and as the packing is all done by machinery driven by hydraulic press urc, makes the same a positive and powerful machine.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. In a cotton press, the combination, with the press box B, extended, as at D D, of the follower G,said follower having a pivotal connection at its lowerend with the extended portion D of the press-box, and adapted for detachable connection with the portion D of the press-box at its upper end, said follower G adapted for movement within said portion 1) toward and from the main press-box 13, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a cotton-press, the combination, with the pressbox Band the follower G, of the horizontal screw-shafts H H, -shaped bars I, journaled upon said shafts, the ends of said bars being connected to the follower G, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a cottonprcss. the combination, with the press-box B and the follower G, having studs 9 g, projecting through the slotted side walls, D, of the shaped bars,one arm of each of said bars being pivoted to the lower end of the follower and the upper arm. adapted to be hooked upon the upper projecting stud, g, of

the follower G, said bars being mounted at their inner ends upon the screw-shafts H,said shafts being adapted to be rotated in either directiomsubstantiall y as and for the purpose described.

4. In a cotton-press, substantially as described, the combination, with the horizontal.

shafts H H, one end of each of said shafts beingjournaled upon the frame of the press,and provided with sprocket-wheels, their opposite screw-threaded ends being journaled on the slotted side walls, D, of the -shaped bars I, said bars being provided with internallythreaded portions fitting upon said shafts, whereby said bars are adapted to travel upon said screw-shafts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The automatic supports L, consisting of a base'plate, l, secured to the press box or door, a leaf, Z, hinged to the base-plate, as at P, the inner face of said leaf adapted to abut against the baseplate Z when the leaf is in a horizontal position, and thereby hold the leaf in such position, said leaf adapted to swing upward by the upward movement of the follower, and adapted to drop by gravity when released by the follower,substantially as shown and described.

6. The combinatiomwith the press-bOX,battens I secured to said box, and hookrods p", hinged at their inner ends to the battens I, of the door K, hinged to said press-box and provided wit-h a rod, 11/, projecting at each end, levers O, mounted upon said projecting ends, said levers being each provided with a projecting stud, 0, said stud 0' being adapted to receive the hook-rods 11, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination,with the p1'ess-box,battens 1, secured upon the sides thereof, and the liookrods p, hinged at their inner ends to said battens P, of the door K, having a batten, 7t, secured across the outer face thereof, a rod, a, passing through said batten and projecting at each end thereof, levers O, pivoted on the projections of said rod, said levers provided with studs 0, arranged to one side of their pivotal connection with the bat ten 70, said studs 0 adapted to receive the hooked ends of the rods 19, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination, with the pressbox B,

having battens P secured upon the sides thereof, said battens provided with stepped metallic end portions, p, and the hook-rods p hinged at their inner ends to said battens P, of the doors K, hinged at their lower edges to the press-box,their upper ends having battens 70, secured to the outer faces thereof, the ends of said battens provided with metallic angleplates having projecting lips of, adapted to fit on the stepped plates 10 when the door K is closed, a bar, a, seated in a groove, 7.4 in the batten it, said bar projecting beyond the ends of said batten, a lever, O, pivoted upon each of said projecting ends, said levers provided with studs 0', arranged upon their outer faces to one side of the pivotal points, said studs adapted to receive the hook ends of the 

